114 FUNGI, 
again, the specimens were placed in the pocket, the pocket when 
opened was a mass of light. The luminosity had now been 
going on for three days. Unfortunately we did not see it our- 
selves till the third day, when it had, possibly from a change in 
the state of electricity, been somewhat impaired; but it was 
still most interesting, and we have merely recorded what we 
observed ourselves. It was almost possible to read the time on 
the face of a watch even in its less luminous condition. We do 
not for a moment suppose that the mycelium is essentially 
luminous, but are rather inclined to believe that a peculiar con- 
currence of climatic conditions is necessary for the production 
of the phenomenon, which is certainly one of great rarity. 
Observers as we have been of fungi in their native haunts for 
fifty years, it has never fallen to our lot to witness a similar case 
before, though Prof. Churchill Babington once sent us specimens 
of luminous wood, which had, however, lost their luminosity 
before they arrived. It should be observed that the parts of the 
wood which were most luminous were not only deeply penetrated 
by the more delicate parts of the mycelium, but were those 
which were most decomposed. It is probable, therefore, that 
this fact is an element in the case as well as the presence of 
fungoid matter.” 
In all cases of phosphorescence recorded, the light emitted 
is described as of the same character, varying only in intensity. 
It answers well to the name applied to it, as it seems remarkably 
similar to the light emitted by some living insects and other 
animal organisms, as well as to that evolved, under favourable 
conditions, by dead animal matter—a pale-bluish light, resem- 
bling that emitted by phosphorus as seen in a dark room. 
Another phenomenon worthy of note is the change of colour 
which the bruised or cut surface of some fungi undergo. Most 
prominent amongst these are certain poisonous species of 
Boletus, such, for instance, as Boletus luridus, and some 
others, which, on being bruised, cut, or divided, exhibit an 
intense, and in some cases vivid, blue. At times this change 
is so instantaneous that before the two freshly-cut portions 
of a Boletus can be separated, it has already commenced, and 
